Aidan Hutchinson remains the centerpiece of the Lions’ defense, and Detroit has at least made an effort to give him some company up front.
The team brought in edge rushers D.J. Wonnum and Payton Turner in free agency, then added rookie Derrick Moore in the second round of the NFL draft. Those moves should help lighten the load on Hutchinson, who is still the clear headliner on that side of the ball.
Even so, the defense still has a problem that can’t be ignored.
On Monday, Todd Archer of ESPN put out a 53-man roster projection for the Lions and pointed to a serious concern in the secondary. He noted that Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch potentially starting on IR would be a major issue for Detroit.
That warning fits the reality of the roster right now. The Lions have Super Bowl expectations, but opening the season without two backend defenders of that caliber would put a lot on the cornerback group and the pass rush.
As Archer wrote, there are “some lingering concerns within the secondary,” with those two “unlikely to be back” before the regular season starts. He also added that “the offense still has the potential to be one of the most explosive units in the league under first-year coordinator Drew Petzing.”
Detroit isn’t going into the season without questions. But with Hutchinson healthy and the offense carrying real upside, the Lions still have a chance to come out of the gate strong even if the secondary needs time to sort itself out.
In Other News...
Taylor Decker's Next Move Has Become A Real Lions Offseason Twist
Taylor Deckers status has turned into one of the more unusual offseason storylines around the Lions. After asking for and getting his release from Detroit, the veteran lineman is still on the market with final preseason roster cuts looming, even as teams such as Washington and the Rams have shown interest along the way. For a player who has long been a familiar piece of the Lions offensive front, the lack of a landing spot has made this a far different finish to the summer than anyone would have expected.
The real wrinkle is that Deckers next move may not be a simple choice between one team and another. He has made it clear he would be reluctant to land with NFC North rivals like the Bears or Packers, which narrows the options even more, and his playing future is now genuinely uncertain. Retirement is on the table, but so is the possibility that he waits for the right opening and resurfaces in season if the right opportunity finally comes along. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Preseason Win Came With New Roster Concerns
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Cedrick Wilson Jr. also went down, adding another name to a roster that is still being sorted out, and offensive lineman Michael Niese was hurt as well. Jabari Small was part of the injury mix too, entering concussion protocol, which means the postgame mood in Allen Park carried the usual preseason split: some optimism about depth, and some fresh concern about availability as the roster picture gets tighter. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Suddenly Have A Running Back Fight Worth Watching
The running back room has been one of the quieter trouble spots in camp, but the Lions are adding another body as the final week of training camp gets underway. Detroit is reportedly signing undrafted rookie Roydell Williams to help with depth after a stretch in which injuries have thinned the group and forced the team to keep shuffling answers at the position.
Williams comes in with a decent pedigree, having played at Alabama and Florida State before a recent release from the Indianapolis Colts. For a team already navigating injuries to Jahmyr Gibbs, Isiah Pacheco, Sione Vaki, Jacob Saylors and Jabari Small, the next question is less about whether there is room for another back and more about whether Williams can make this late push matter. [Read more 🡒]